Virat Kohli’s fiery temperament has been a defining characteristic throughout his illustrious international cricket career. His unwavering competitiveness and refusal to back down from any confrontation have often made headlines, both on and off the field.
One of the most infamous incidents highlighting Kohli’s fiery nature occurred during India’s 2012 tour of Australia, known as “Virat’s middle finger incident.” During the second Test in Sydney, Kohli was subjected to relentless verbal abuse from a section of Australian fans while fielding near the boundary.
Exasperated by the continuous taunts, Kohli responded by raising his middle finger towards the crowd. The gesture sparked immediate controversy, drawing widespread criticism and media attention. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently fined Kohli 50% of his match fee for breaching the Code of Conduct, citing unsportsmanlike behavior.
In an interview with Wisden, Kohli opened up about the controversy and recalled how he pleaded with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle to not ban him. “I’m so cool,” Kohli had said. “The match referee called me to his room the next day and I’m like, ‘What’s wrong?’. He said, ‘What happened at the boundary yesterday?’. I said, ‘Nothing, it was a bit of banter’.”
Madugalle reportedly asked Kohli to admit to his guilt, which he accepted, resulting in a 50% deduction of his match fee. “I got away with that one,” Kohli said. “He was a nice guy, he understood I was young and these things happen.”
Kohli’s fiery temperament has also been evident in his confrontations with opponents. In 2014, he engaged in a heated exchange with Australian batsman David Warner during a Test match in Adelaide. The incident led to both players being fined by the ICC.
Despite the occasional controversy, Kohli’s competitive spirit and unwavering determination have been instrumental in his success as a cricketer. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
